Speech #970113563

I generally endorse their letter. but have elected to send you this separate set of views. Based on extensive testimony. discussion. and investigative trips conducted by my Subcommittee. I make the following recommendations concerning the refugee admissions program for Fiscal Year 1982: A total refugee admissions ceiling of 120.000. The consideration as refugees only of those who flee their country because of persecution or a fear of persecution. Intensified efforts to internationalize all refugee problems. particularly the Indochinese refugee situation. An international conference to discuss internationalization should be considered. The domestic effects of refugee resettlement must be accorded greater attention. Funding levels for refugee resettlement must be adequate. There must be closer consultation between state and local governments and federal resettlement officials. Sponsors of refugees should make special efforts to ensure that their charges do not become welfaredependents. The medical screening procedures for incoming refugees and the medical monitoring of refugees once they arrive in our country need to be reexamined in light of public health considerations. In order to administer the refugee programs properly. the Office of the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs should be transferred to the White House from the State Department. Also. the Office of Refugee Resettlement should be reestablished within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services from the Social Security Administration. I make these recommendations with an appreciation of the difficulty of these issues. and with a strong humanitarian commitment to maintaining Americas refugee program. I believe the admissions level you have proposed173.000is excessive. especially because it is not accompanied by adequate domestic funding. In particular. the refugee situation in Indochina is stabilizing. Camp populations have been reduced substantially since the spring of 1979. Boat arrivals in asylum countries are down considerably. And. fewer land refugees are seeking third country resettlement. For these reasons. I believe an annual ceiling of 84.000 is sufficient to meet our obligations. and those of the firstasylum nations and sufficient to meet the needs of refugees in that region of the world. I believe that the level recommended for Latin America and the Caribbean should be reconsidered in view of the conditions now prevailing in this region. I trust my views and recommendations will be seriously considered before you arrive at a final determination on refugee admissions. The consultative process. established by the Refugee Act of 1980. requires that full consideration be given to the views and comments of the Legislative Branch. My colleagues on the Subcommittee and I have other concerns about the refugee program which we will communicate to you in due course. All best wishes and warmest regards. Sincerely.